Be Your Own Plumber

(Page 6 of 6)

August/September 2006
By Steve Maxwell 
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The only thing that might cause you trouble is water inside a pipe. Even a drop or two can keep the pipe from becoming hot enough to melt the solder for a joint. There’s another option if you’re adding piping to an existing network that contains water you can’t drain out. Don’t be afraid to drill a hole an eighth of an inch in diameter at a low spot nearby to let all the water escape. You can easily patch the pipe later with a blob of solder after you’ve completed the joint.

RELATED CONTENT

Tools for Soldering

Pipe cutter and pipe minicutter: For about $30, these tools make cutting copper pipe easy, clean and fast. Use the minicutter in places too tight for the full-size tool.

Propane torch: A multipurpose tool that’s economical to operate; ideal for soldering copper water supply pipes.

Emery cloth and cleaning brushes: The perfect pair for cleaning the inside and outside surfaces of copper pipe joints.

Flux and flux brush: Chemically cleans copper for best results. Brush makes flux application neat and easy.

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